Discovery to premiere four new series in January, offer 'sneak peaks'

By Christopher Rocchio, 12/26/2007

Discovery Channel has announced Fight Quest, Some Assembly Required, Bone Detectives, and Smash Lab -- four new recently unveiled reality series -- will all debut during a special holiday "Sneak Peak Week" before premiering in their regular time periods in January,

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Beginning Wednesday, December 26, Discovery Channel will broadcast 9AM to 3AM ET/PT marathons of several popular preexisting programs -- such as Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters and Man vs. Wild -- over the course of seven consecutive days, with special "sneak peak" episode broadcasts of the four new aforementioned shows airing at 10PM ET/PT on various nights.

Smash Lab, which will follow a team of engineers as they find revolutionary ways to apply everyday technology, will debut on Wednesday, December 26 at 10PM ET/PT during a Mythbusters marathon. Smash Lab will then premiere in its regular Wednesdays at 10PM ET/PT time period beginning January 16.

Each episode of Smash Lab will follow engineer Chuck Messer; scientist Deanne Bell; industrial designer Nick Blair; and idea specialist Kevin Cook as they take existing technology and break it down to discover new, inventive ways it can be used. In addition, the Smash Lab team will also explain to viewers how different technologies came to fruition and how they can be better used.

Some Assembly Required, which will show viewers the process of making and manufacturing items used in everyday life, will debut on Thursday, December 27 at 10PM ET/PT during a Dirty Jobs marathon. Some Assembly Required will then premiere in its regular Tuesdays at 10PM ET/PT time period beginning January 7.

Each episode of Some Assembly Required will be hosted by Brian Unger and Louis Bloomfield as they introduce viewers to the people behind the building process of various products from plasma televisions to toothpaste. In addition, the series will also highlight how everyday items are improved upon on a regular basis.

Fight Quest, which will offer viewers a glimpse at different fighting styles from across the globe, will debut on Friday, December 28 at 10PM ET/PT during a Man vs. Wild marathon. Fight Quest will then premiere in its regular Fridays at 10PM ET/PT time period beginning January 4.

Fight Quest will follow hosts Jimmy Smith, a mixed martial arts fighter, and Iraqi War veteran Doug Anderson as they travel to locations around the world and immerse themselves in different cultural fighting styles.

Each episode of Fight Quest will conclude with either Smith or Anderson facing off against a local in whatever form of combat they specialize in. Various locations the series will travel to include the Philippines, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico City, Thailand, Israel, Brazil and India.

Bone Detectives, which will follow teams of scientists and explorers as they attempt to unlock the secrets of burial and mummification, will debut on Saturday, December 29 at 10PM ET/PR during a marathon that will include episodes of Storm Chasers, Blue Planet and Fearless Planet. Bone Detectives will then premiere in its regular Mondays at 10PM ET/PT time period beginning January 14.

Archaeologist Scotty Moore will lead each of Bone Detective's expeditions, which will explore the burial techniques used by some of the world's most ancient civilizations. Billed as a mix of "anthropology and adventure," Bone Detectives will also use the burial techniques to reveal portions of the past that have since been forgotten.

In addition, Discovery Channel also plans to air clips from Deadliest Catch's upcoming Spring 2008 fourth season during the 10PM ET/PT hour as part of its Deadliest Catch marathon on Sunday, December 30.

Weapon Masters, another upcoming new series that will show viewers the history and technology behind various weapons, will air at 10PM ET/PT on Monday, December 31 during a Mythbusters marathon. Discovery Channel then plans to air a Dirty Jobs marathon to ring in the new year on Tuesday, January 1.